"What kind of silliness is this." Amanda's head became so dizzy after seeing several maids enter her room while carrying many shopping bags filled with gift boxes with various ornate ribbons tied, and they looked very luxurious.Now, the bed in Amanda's room was full of them, making her cluck and complain, as Oriaga's behavior was too much for her.If only she had a cell phone, she would have immediately called her husband to protest and return the items."Yesterday it was perfume, so what will it be today?" She huffed, looking at everything on the bed because Amanda never expected anything from Oriaga. She didn't want the man's wealth, and she just wanted an everyday life.Amanda was in denial that having a wealthy CEO husband like Oriaga Niel must have brought many surprises, and she could get anything if she asked for it, even when Amanda never said anything to her husband, making Amanda feel like the mansion's walls could hear everything.All the facilities in the mansion made her
Usually, Oriaga would visit the mansion after office hours, but today, the man showed up early, around seven in the morning. Even though Amanda had not yet woken up, his wife was still asleep even though the autumn sunlight had greeted the earth's inhabitants.Oriaga did not need anyone's permission to enter Amanda's room, so he immediately opened the door without knocking. She was sleeping on her right side with the blanket wrapped around her, Amanda's hair partially covering her face.Oriaga's footsteps seemed to echo but had not managed to disturb Amanda's morning. The man approached the window before opening the curtains wide enough for sunlight to penetrate Amanda's room, which was previously only lit by a bed lamp."I still want to sleep, so let me do it. I went to bed at two in the morning last night." Amanda babbled without opening her eyes, feeling that the person who had opened the curtains was one of the mansion's servants."So lazy. How did she fall asleep at two in the mo
Since their last fight over Oriaga's dress that morning, he hadn't revisited the mansion for almost two weeks. The man had gone silent, never even ordering Zayn to check on his wife's condition, but Zayn had taken the initiative to call the mansion's guard number.Oriaga was getting busier in the office, so he didn't want to think about anything else, especially since he had several new styles of clothes that were still in the production stage. He also handled the renewal of cooperation contracts with business partners and the renewal of rental building contracts or shops in many shopping centers spread throughout the Netherlands.Oriaga didn't have time to think about Amanda, as if he was still the single man in his life, even though the wedding ring was on his ring finger, but he was never seen or deliberately blinded to his wife."Miss Amanda, she is like to eat those oats?" asked Aunt Rosemary to a servant in front of the elevator on the main floor, eagerly waiting for her return
Amanda hadn't realized it yet when someone joined her behind her back and hugged her, kissing her head before closing his eyes.While in the mansion's front yard, Zayn sat on the car's hood while looking at the balcony of Amanda's room. He managed to persuade Oriaga after repeated refusals, but tonight, the man's conscience was knocked, making Zayn feel very grateful.It was eleven o'clock at night, and Zayn should have returned home, but hearing Oriaga's agreement to visit the mansion made Zayn undo the intention to go home. It didn't matter if he came home late as long as he saw the situation between Oriaga and Amanda improve."Would you like some coffee?" offered the mansion guard as he held up a coffee cup, suddenly appearing beside Zayn, almost taking him by surprise."No, Uncle. Thank you.""He came." The stocky man laughed when he saw the balcony of Amanda's room. "The photo I got is compelling, isn't it?"Zayn nodded, and he smiled. "That's right, Uncle. I also sent the photo
Aunt Rosemary almost screamed in surprise at Amanda's appearance near midnight on the main floor, plus the woman's appearance must have made others think that they saw a ghostly apparition in the mansion.With a long white dress, messy loose hair, and a pale face without a touch of makeup, anyone can scream if they meet Amanda in this position. Fortunately, Aunt Rosemary was okay. She intended to go to her room—which was joined by another maid's room to rest, but Amanda's appearance made the woman's intention fail."Oh my, Miss Amanda. What are you looking for so late at night like this to come down to the main floor? I thought you were asleep," Aunt Rosemary said, swallowing hard as she took in Amanda's disturbed state."I'm hungry." The woman spoke softly so Aunt Rosemary didn't hear her."How is it, Miss? Can you repeat that?""I'm hungry." She had been crying all day, as evidenced by her sad face and swollen eyes, all because Oriaga's words had hurt so much. Amanda's voice became
Since his pair of feet stepped on Melbourne soil, Oriaga's feelings became so anxious. He didn't know the problem, but worry followed the man like a shadow that stuck. At the same time, he had to constantly look confident in front of everyone, showing his best image.Fortunately, Oriaga could master the anxiety so that it would not float away and be seen by everyone. He remained calm from joining the big event in a magnificent building until it was over. Joana didn't notice anything that happened to Oriaga.The event, which lasted for almost four hours, closed sweetly when one of the world's famous soloists performed on the grand stage, making his voice shake the entire building, but Oriaga decided to leave. He felt his head was getting dizzy and wanted to rest immediately.Many photographers' cameras had taken pictures of him when he appeared on the red carpet, making him more charming and authoritative. They managed to get close-ups of Oriaga from various sides.Now, when he came ou
He doesn't know if he should feel lucky or unlucky right now because after ending a business meeting with her boss, Joana received a call from Elena. The little girl wanted some of the latest collection from Sanri*, which happened to have a significant discount on purchases this month, making her mother blink in confusion.Elena loved dolls from the Sanri* brand, and she had many in her room as Joana managed to collect every time she went to another country."Yes, I'll buy it for you.""Thank you very much, mom. I'm waiting for you at home."Joana grunted after ending the call, but she still looked happy to hear her daughter's voice."What's wrong?" asked Oriaga as he descended the stairs to their pickup across the street, finding Joana at the end of the steps."Eum, Elena just called me, sir.""So?""She wanted something, and I saw a discount promotion from the city's largest shopping mall online. I didn't know that she wanted another collection.""Ah. You'd better look for those thi
"Sir, you finally came to your senses."Upon opening his eyelids, Oriaga found Joana crying beside him, probably crying for so long because Joana's eyes were red."God is perfect for saving you." She pressed a button beside the bed that allowed patients to call the doctors and nurses at the hospital in case of an emergency or need for something while alone."Joana." Oriaga took a deep breath. He tried to move freely, but his joints still hurt, and an IV needle stuck in the back of his right hand. "I'm in the hospital?""That's right, sir. The driver and a staff member from the Japanese restaurant drove you here, and they answered my call on your cell phone." She could not shake off her anxiety."Stop crying, Joana. I've realized I'm not dead.""I'm afraid the worst has happened to you, sir. That woman was crazy." She wiped away the tears with a few tissues.A doctor and nurse entered the room, and they checked Oriaga's condition."Thankfully, you came to your senses. The effect of the
"Immediately prepare the data of all office employees with contracts that are about to expire at the end of this year, Joana. The data should be ready by the time I get to the office, probably in an hour due to the situation outside. Thank you." Oriaga put his phone back after ending the call.The three were in the car, still halfway to the mansion. As Zayn was driving was deliberately slowed down to keep up with the clearing of the surrounding snow piles.Zayn deliberately set the music to make the atmosphere in the car less quiet because since the pair of humans sat in the passenger seat, they were united in silence as if there was a cold war."Sir. Do we have to return home after taking Miss Amanda to the mansion?" Zayn asked as he glanced at the overhead mirrors, confirming the situation behind him."No, no. It's too time-consuming. I have a few changes of clothes in the office.""Alright.""Do you want to buy anything before arriving at the mansion?"The question had not been rea
"What were you guys talking about that you only came back to this room near midnight? You seem to have a lot of energy."Amanda snorted as she stared irritably at the gray-shirted man on the bed. She thought Oriaga had fallen asleep since leaving the living room about two hours earlier, while Amanda had joined her family to relieve her longing."Although I have little energy, I will try to make the most of my time when it comes to my family." Amanda sat on the edge of the bed, her back to her husband."Yes, of course, you can only see them when I give you the chance."Amanda made no sound. She lay in the space beside Oriaga as she pulled up the blanket. She didn't want to face the man, so she tilted her body to the right."You're going to ignore me?""You ignore me a lot, Oriaga. Don't overdo it.""Exaggerate? I very rarely even lie beside you.""It's not my fault, you did it. I've always been lying in the mansion's bed at your convenience while you chose to sleep elsewhere.""You're
Amanda was all smiles from the moment she stepped back into her parents' home, receiving a warm welcome, and it was fortunate that Nadine had returned to work as soon as she could after receiving word from Mateo that her sister would be visiting.If there had been no such news, Nadine would most likely have approached Rudolf at his coffee shop to help her lover."Mom, I have a gift for you," Oriaga said as he took something out of his coat pocket before removing it: a blue jewelry box with the 'Gregorious' emblem on the top. He placed it on the table right in front of Pamela.About five people sat on the sofa by the lit fireplace, the atmosphere becoming quite warm as the light in the sky dimmed."What is this, Oriaga?" Pamela grabbed the object and opened it, and she was quite surprised to find a bracelet with several pearls around it, very pretty and luxurious. "Oh my! This must be expensive.""Is it the latest collection from your brand?" asked Nadine.Oriaga shook his head. "No, i
"I want to go back to work.""Work?" Pamela was surprised to hear her husband's wish. "Why go back to work? Don't we have enough to live for?""Yes. I know." The man grunted as he leaned back on the sofa—they were sitting by the dying fireplace. "Your son-in-law did guarantee our lives, even paid all the debts, but don't you think if one-day Oriaga announces his marriage to everyone, they will ask, 'Who is that man married to? What is her family background?' do you know what I mean, Pamela?"The wife paused, then snorted as she understood the meaning of Mateo's words. "It seems like this could cause a bit of trouble.""Right, aside from the judgment of others, I also want to protect my daughter from anyone's evil words. Although I'm sure Oriaga is taking good care of her, there's still a bit of guilt when I remember why Amanda had to get married."Mateo thought back to the past. If it weren't for the massive debt, he probably wouldn't have accepted Pamela's decision for Amanda to marr
"You know a guy named Jeff pretty well, huh?"Amanda didn't budge, as her husband was visiting the mansion in the middle of the night for the winter. In other people's homes, they choose to rest or watch thrilling romance movies, but at the mansion, a man named Oriaga Niel Thompson is trying to harass his wife.Amanda is already asleep and is forced to wake up due to Oriaga's relentless harassment, causing her to almost punch him in the face.Now, Amanda had to stand facing Oriaga in the library, and the opening question was enough to make Amanda understand the annoying situation."Why not answer it, Amanda?"The woman exhaled harshly, folding her arms across her chest. "I'm sure you already know the answer, so why ask, huh?""I have the right to say anything.""How ridiculous. You woke me up to ask about Jeff, huh?""Again, I have the right to say anything. After all, this is my house. I also have the right to disturb anyone, including you.""I hate to hear such strange rules.""Seco
Oriaga had examined some of the latest jewelry designs submitted by the three Gregorious jewelry designers. Still, the man had not shown any satisfaction with the images on the table, either because he had not found the best or was influenced by something else.It was a good thing he was alone in the CEO's office, so he wasn't asked to comment on the designs because Oriaga didn't have a definitive answer yet, his mind like a ship adrift in the middle of the ocean. Thanks to Amanda's words this morning, he was not eager to work.He collected all the design papers and intended to put them in a drawer. He could review the designs tomorrow or the day after before commenting on their flaws or satisfaction. Still, after pulling out the drawer and finding Amanda's cell phone, Oriaga's attention was distracted.He put the design paperback on the table and took out Amanda's cell phone, which had been stored there for months. He immediately connected the object to a powerbank. When the cell pho
Amanda exhaled harshly when she looked in the mirror before the sink and found several kiss marks around her chest and neck. The man was being quite brutal, more than usual, making Amanda feel tortured even though it wasn't violent.She quickly took off her entire towel kimono before soaking in the bathtub filled with soothing, warm water. At least this room was the best reason for Amanda to secure herself. If Oriaga woke up, the man would immediately repeat their hot activities like a hyper while his wife had given up.It was now close to midnight, and Amanda ventured into the bath as the snow piled up more and more outside."That man should go home. I don't want him to stay here, and all my joints are aching from the pressure of Oriaga. What's gotten into him like that, huh?" She complained even if she said it in front of Oriaga, he wouldn't care; he was just obsessed with Amanda's body.She hadn't realized that someone had woken up and searched for her while feeling the bed's surfa
Amanda's feelings became anxious after Oriaga ended their video call. Although his expression was flat when he spotted it, intonation was enough to emphasize that the man was angry, even though Amanda had not shown the final part of the lingerie that she had cut out carelessly.Amanda swallowed; from the beginning, she realized that she had challenged Oriaga, but when the man answered her challenge—it caused a different kind of anxiety, and Amanda didn't like the way she felt.She lowered the lingerie box from the top of the closet, double-checked, put the item back, then double-checked. She kept doing this because the confusion, as the saying goes, 'rice has become porridge,' fit Amanda's anxiety perfectly.Time passed, and it became dark. All the lights in the mansion were bright, including Amanda's room, but she still couldn't shake off the anxiety. She sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the lingerie box on the surface of the dressing table."What else am I supposed to do with
The man wasn't lying, and he sent many things to the mansion the day after visiting his wife. Many boxes piled up in the main room, making Amanda angry at her husband's behavior.What looked like a variety of gifts from many people, and damn those items were from luxury brands. Amanda regretted she should have insisted that Oriaga buy something ordinary so that she could wear it without thinking about the price."Miss. Should we move all these boxes to your room?" asked one maid among the other two; they witnessed Amanda getting frustrated."I don't know." The woman sat down on the sofa, supporting her chin with her hands as she stared at the pile of multicolored boxes. "Why would he buy this much stuff, huh? It's too much, and he could have used the money to donate to an orphanage or something.""But, Miss. Isn't Mr. Oriaga a regular donor at an orphanage?" A servant interjected as Amanda spoke to herself."Really? Where is it?""I'm sorry, Miss. But, we don't know enough about it."